Iran's Army air defense forces shot down a US Lucas drone over the southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Sunday morning, demonstrating the country's continued readiness to defend its airspace, according to an official military statement.

The Army's public relations office said the drone was detected and destroyed by air defense systems operating under Iran's integrated air defense network.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing scrutiny of US military activities near Iranian territory and strategic waterways.

Iran has repeatedly warned that any unauthorized intrusion into its airspace would be met with a response, emphasizing its determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In a separate incident on October 20, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that its air defense systems had intercepted and destroyed a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the IRGC, the latest interception was the 54th US drone it had reported bringing down.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, remains strategically important to global energy supplies and regional security.

Iranian military officials have consistently highlighted the country's air defense capabilities, describing them as a central component of its efforts to deter potential threats and protect critical infrastructure.

The latest reported incident underscores Tehran's determination to maintain control over its airspace as tensions with Washington persist.  (ILKHA)